Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
The Brigade Commander, 14 Brigade Nigeria Army Ohafia, Brig. Gen. Nsikak John Edet, has vowed that all those behind the gruesome murder of a Labour Party chieftain in Abia State, Zachary Maduka a.k.a Power Zac, must be smoked out and punished accordingly.
Brig. Gen. Edet made the vow Friday evening when he visited the family of the deceased at their Akpukpa Uturu country home, Isuikwuato Local Area.
Ikengaonline had reported that the 70-year-old was actively involved in the local vigilante group fighting insecurity that has refused to abate in the area.
He was murdered Wednesday night at a local joint in his Community by yet-to-be-identified armed men who also beheaded him and took away his head.
The Brigade Commander expressed grief and shock over the gruesome and cannibalistic killing of the elder statesman who he said had made valuable contributions towards improving security in the area.
He assured the family members that “the perpetrators of this act will surely be brought to book and will definitely face the consequences of their evil and inhumane acts.”
According to the Army boss, all security agencies in the state would work in synergy “in order to do all it takes to ensure the assailants and perpetrators of this callous act are fished out.”
Meanwhile, Brig. Gen. Edet enjoined the family to take solace in God and prayed for the repose and eternal rest of the soul of the “highly patriotic elder statesman who gave all towards enhancing the security of lives and property of his community.”
Until his tragic death, the late Maduka was the Head of Vigilante Group of Uturu and Agueleri both in Isiukwuato LGA of Abia State.
Earlier, the Brigade Commander met with some members of vigilante group and the Divisional Police Officer at Uturu where they brainstormed on some strategies of curbing such inhumane attacks and forestall future occurrence in the area.
He called on members of the public to assist security agents with useful information about suspected criminals in their domain.
The Brigade Commander re-stated the commitment of security agencies in the state to rid Abia of criminal elements terrorising residents.
